Abstract

The normal ageing process leads to declines in physical performance and reduced resilience marked by outward signs such as a loss of stamina, gradual poor eyesight, hearing loss etc. The rate of onset and progression can be mitigated by dietary and lifestyle factors but are also governed by genetic inheritance. Lifestyle and environmental factors may result in acute and chronic changes to the complex interplay of biological processes that underlie normal ageing and result in morbidity and, over time, the accumulation of additional or multi-morbidities. Such multi-morbidity will more often necessitate prolonged medicalisation, reduce life expectancy and impair overall quality of life.